An Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT) can be an important part of a thoughtful estate plan for Auburn residents who want to manage life insurance proceeds and potential estate tax exposure. This page explains how an ILIT works, how it interacts with other planning documents like revocable living trusts and pour-over wills, and what steps you might consider when protecting wealth and providing for beneficiaries. The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman offers focused guidance adapted to California rules and Placer County practices, with clear explanations of trustee duties, trust funding, and ongoing administration for families and individuals in our community.
When considering an ILIT, it helps to understand how it fits with related instruments such as a last will and testament, financial power of attorney, and advance health care directive. An ILIT can hold life insurance policies outside the insured’s taxable estate when properly funded and administered, which often reduces probate exposure and supports long-term beneficiary planning. Our approach covers drafting trust terms, preparing a certification of trust, and coordinating beneficiary designations. We also assist with related filings and petitions like Heggstad and trust modification petitions when court or administrative actions are needed to preserve trust intent and ensure smooth benefit distribution.
An ILIT is important because it offers ways to control life insurance proceeds, reduce probate involvement, and manage potential estate taxes for property and insurance benefits. By transferring ownership of a policy to a properly drafted trust, the insured can help keep proceeds out of their probate estate and set terms for how and when beneficiaries receive funds. This structure also allows for tailored distribution instructions, spendthrift protections, and integration with other planning tools such as revocable trusts, retirement plan trusts, and special needs arrangements. Planning carefully helps ensure continuity and clarity for trustees and beneficiaries in the years ahead.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman provides estate planning services in Auburn and throughout Placer County that emphasize clear client communication and practical legal drafting. Our firm prepares a wide range of documents including revocable living trusts, pour-over wills, financial powers of attorney, advance health care directives, and trust-related petitions. We assist clients with trust administration, certifications of trust, general assignments of assets to trust, and specialized trusts such as irrevocable life insurance trusts and pet trusts. Our focus is on creating plans that reflect each client’s family dynamics, asset mix, and long-term goals while complying with California law.
An ILIT is a separate trust that owns a life insurance policy on the grantor’s life and names beneficiaries who will receive proceeds according to the trust terms. Because the trust is irrevocable once funded, the insurance proceeds generally pass outside the grantor’s probate estate, which can simplify distribution and may reduce estate tax exposure for larger estates. Establishing an ILIT requires careful drafting to ensure the grantor relinquishes incidents of ownership and that insurance premium funding and gift tax considerations are addressed through annual exclusion gifts or other funding mechanisms to the trust.
Creating and maintaining an ILIT involves practical steps such as drafting trust provisions that outline trustee powers, beneficiary entitlements, and distribution timing. The trust must be funded by transferring an existing life insurance policy or by having the trust purchase a new policy. If the grantor transfers an existing policy, a three-year lookback rule may apply for estate inclusion, so timing and coordination are important. Trustees must also manage premium payments, maintain records, and coordinate beneficiary claims upon the insured’s death, following the trust document and California law for trust administration.
An ILIT is a legal arrangement in which a trust, rather than an individual, owns a life insurance policy. When the insured dies, proceeds are paid to the trust and distributed according to its terms. Because the trust is irrevocable, the insured generally avoids owning the policy directly, which can keep proceeds out of the probate estate and allow for controlled disbursements to beneficiaries. The trust includes provisions for trustee authority, distribution standards, and successor trustees. Proper drafting and funding are essential to create the intended separation between the insured and the trust for estate planning purposes.
Core elements of an ILIT include the trust agreement, trustee designation, beneficiary designations, and funding method. Administrative processes involve transferring policy ownership, making premium payments from trust funds or gifts into the trust, and keeping trust records. Trustees often must sign a certification of trust when dealing with financial institutions or insurance carriers. If changes are needed over time, tools like trust modification petitions may be available depending on circumstances and state law. Effective administration also includes communication with beneficiaries and coordination with other estate planning documents to ensure the overall plan operates as intended.
Understanding common terms helps when establishing or administering an ILIT. Terms such as grantor, trustee, beneficiary, irrevocable, incidents of ownership, funding, and gift-splitting appear frequently in planning discussions. Knowing these definitions helps clients participate in decisions about trust structure, funding strategies, and how insurance proceeds will be distributed. Clear definitions also help clarify the roles of documents like the certification of trust, pour-over will, and Heggstad petition in coordinating trust assets. Familiarity with these terms supports better planning outcomes and smoother administration.
The grantor is the person who creates the trust and transfers assets or assigns ownership of a life insurance policy to the trust. In the context of an ILIT, the grantor is typically the insured who establishes the trust’s terms and funds the trust for premium payments. Once the grantor transfers the policy to an irrevocable trust, the grantor usually loses the power to alter the trust unilaterally. Understanding the grantor’s role is important because certain actions by the grantor after transfer, such as retaining incidents of ownership, can affect whether the insurance proceeds are included in the grantor’s estate for tax purposes.
The trustee is the individual or entity responsible for managing the trust’s assets, administering policy premiums, and distributing proceeds in accordance with the trust document. Trustees must act in the beneficiaries’ best interests under the trust’s terms and keep accurate records of payments and distributions. Trustee duties often include communicating with insurance carriers, banking institutions, and tax preparers. Selecting a trustee who can handle administrative responsibilities and follow the grantor’s instructions in the trust instrument helps ensure that the ILIT functions smoothly and that beneficiary entitlements are honored when a claim arises.
Irrevocable means that, once created and funded, the trust cannot be changed or revoked by the grantor without following specific legal processes. This status is deliberate because it is one of the factors that helps exclude life insurance proceeds from the grantor’s probate estate. However, irrevocability also means the grantor must plan carefully before transferring ownership of a policy to an ILIT. If circumstances change, tools such as trust modification petitions or court actions may be necessary to address unexpected issues while still honoring the trust’s original intent.
Incidents of ownership are rights that, if retained by the grantor, can cause life insurance proceeds to be included in the grantor’s estate for tax or probate purposes. Examples include the right to change beneficiaries, borrow against the policy, or surrender it for cash. To achieve the intended estate planning benefits of an ILIT, the grantor must relinquish these rights and transfer ownership fully to the trust. Careful drafting and administration help ensure that the trust holds the required powers while the grantor avoids retaining control that would undermine the trust’s purpose.
An ILIT can be compared with alternatives like keeping a policy in the revocable living trust, naming individual beneficiaries directly, or using beneficiary designations tied to retirement accounts. An ILIT offers structured control over distributions and can keep proceeds out of probate, but it requires irrevocable transfer and ongoing administration by a trustee. Other approaches may be simpler but offer less control or different tax implications. Choosing the right path depends on your goals for creditor protection, distribution control, tax planning, and administrative preferences, and often these instruments are used together to form a comprehensive estate plan.
If life insurance proceeds are modest relative to the overall estate and there is minimal risk of estate tax liability, a limited approach such as naming beneficiaries directly or placing the policy in a revocable trust may be appropriate. This approach reduces administrative complexity and avoids irrevocable transfers that can limit flexibility. For many families, straightforward beneficiary designations combined with clear estate documents like wills and powers of attorney deliver the practical outcomes they need without extra cost or effort. Evaluating asset size and family needs helps determine whether a full ILIT is necessary.
Individuals who value the ability to change beneficiaries, adjust policy coverage, or alter plan terms in response to life transitions may prefer more flexible arrangements than an ILIT. Keeping a policy in a revocable trust or retaining ownership while updating beneficiary designations provides adaptability for changing family circumstances, new financial obligations, or evolving estate goals. This flexibility can be especially appealing for younger clients or those with uncertain long-term plans, as it avoids the irrevocability that accompanies an ILIT and allows for responsive updates when necessary.
When insurance policies are part of larger asset groups, such as business interests, retirement accounts, or real estate holdings, a comprehensive legal approach helps ensure all pieces work together. Coordinating an ILIT with revocable trusts, retirement plan trusts, and estate administration documents can mitigate unintended tax consequences and clarify funding responsibilities. Professional drafting and thorough review reduce the risk of costly mistakes and help align the ILIT’s terms with broader distribution goals, creditor considerations, and long-term family planning objectives in California and Placer County.
Administration of an ILIT may require careful recordkeeping, communication with insurance carriers, and occasional court filings such as Heggstad or trust modification petitions to address title or funding issues. When trust administration intersects with probate or creditor claims, having a full-service legal approach ensures procedural requirements are met and that trustees understand their obligations. Guidance with beneficiary claims, certification of trust documentation, and responses to disputes can help trustees fulfill duties while protecting the trust’s purpose and the grantor’s intended legacy.
A comprehensive planning approach integrates an ILIT with existing trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives, producing a cohesive plan that addresses distribution, tax implications, and family dynamics. Coordination helps prevent conflicts between beneficiary designations and trust provisions, ensures proper funding of the trust, and clarifies administrative responsibilities for trustees. This cohesive strategy also makes it easier to update the plan as circumstances change, and it supports smoother administration at the time of the insured’s death by minimizing surprises and paperwork delays for beneficiaries and trustees.
Comprehensive planning also helps align life insurance strategies with long-term objectives such as providing income replacement, funding education, protecting business continuity, or preserving assets for grandchildren. By addressing these goals up front, the trust terms can include distribution schedules, educational trusts, or spendthrift protections that reflect family priorities. Proper coordination with tax planning considerations and retirement account designations ensures that beneficiaries receive assets in the manner intended while minimizing avoidable tax or administrative burdens for loved ones who will carry out the grantor’s wishes.
An ILIT can set precise terms about when and how beneficiaries receive proceeds, which is valuable when managing funds for minors, those with disabilities, or beneficiaries who may need protection from creditors. Trust provisions can provide structured payouts, educational funding, or staggered distributions to balance immediate needs with long-term preservation. This level of control helps families avoid abrupt windfalls that might be poorly managed and allows trustees to follow clear guidelines for distributions that reflect the grantor’s intentions and the beneficiaries’ best interests.
When properly structured and funded, an ILIT can remove life insurance proceeds from the taxable estate, which may reduce estate tax exposure for larger estates. In addition, trust ownership can offer a layer of protection from certain creditor claims against individual beneficiaries, depending on trust terms and applicable state law. Combined with other planning tools like irrevocable life insurance trust provisions or retirement plan trusts, these strategies can preserve more of a legacy for intended heirs and support a well-ordered transfer of wealth across generations.
Careful planning for how the ILIT will receive funds to pay insurance premiums is essential to ensure the policy remains in force and benefits are preserved. Many grantors use annual exclusion gifts, bank transfers to the trustee, or structured contributions timed with premium schedules. Trustee access to funds and a written process for accepting gifts reduce the risk of missed payments. Discussing these mechanisms during the drafting stage and setting clear trust terms about funding responsibilities helps trustees manage premiums and maintain coverage for the duration of the policy.
Review and coordinate beneficiary designations on life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and other assets to avoid conflicts with trust provisions and ensure assets flow as intended. A pour-over will can help capture assets not properly titled, but primary beneficiary designations should align with the ILIT to prevent unintended probate or distribution outcomes. Regular reviews of all estate planning documents, especially after major life events such as marriage, divorce, or changes in assets, help ensure the ILIT remains integrated with the overall estate plan.
Clients often consider an ILIT to achieve estate planning objectives such as keeping life insurance proceeds out of probate, providing for long-term beneficiary needs, and potentially reducing estate tax exposure. The trust can be tailored to create income replacement, fund education, protect inheritance from creditors, or support charitable goals. For families with complex assets or special planning concerns, an ILIT offers a mechanism to deliver funds in a controlled manner that reflects the grantor’s priorities while simplifying distribution procedures at the time of death for trustees and beneficiaries alike.
An ILIT is also worth considering for those who want to separate ownership of life insurance from personal assets, which can be important in business succession planning or when protecting proceeds from potential creditor claims. When combined with other tools like retirement plan trusts or a revocable living trust, an ILIT becomes part of a layered strategy to manage assets across generations. Discussing your objectives and family circumstances helps determine whether an irrevocable structure aligns with your long-term goals and whether alternate approaches might better suit your needs.
An ILIT is commonly considered for situations such as providing for minor children, preserving wealth for multiple generations, planning for potential estate tax liability, facilitating business succession, or protecting insurance proceeds from creditors. Families with blended households, special needs beneficiaries, or complex asset holdings often use an ILIT to achieve targeted outcomes. The trust’s tailored provisions can address timing of distributions, educational funding, and ongoing oversight by a trustee, which makes it an adaptable tool for various planning goals in Auburn and throughout Placer County.
When beneficiaries are minors or young adults, an ILIT can structure distributions to provide for education and living expenses without giving a lump sum directly to a young beneficiary who may not have the maturity to manage a large inheritance. Trust terms can include scheduled distributions, educational allowances, and oversight provisions that guide trustees in making prudent decisions. This approach helps protect funds until beneficiaries reach ages or milestones set by the grantor, ensuring that the funds serve their intended purpose over time.
For families with beneficiaries who receive public benefits or have special needs, an ILIT can be coordinated with supplemental special needs planning to provide additional resources without jeopardizing eligibility for government programs. Trust provisions can direct funds for supplemental care, medical needs, or quality-of-life improvements while preserving access to essential benefits. Combining an ILIT with a special needs trust or other tailored planning tools helps create a safety net that supports long-term care and financial stability for vulnerable beneficiaries.
Business owners often use ILITs to provide liquidity for succession planning, buy-sell arrangements, or estate tax obligations that could otherwise force a sale of business interests. Life insurance proceeds held in a trust can fund buyout agreements or provide resources to support the business until a transition occurs. Structuring the trust and coordinating with business agreements and retirement plan trusts ensures that the necessary funds are available at the right time to support continuity and honor the owner’s intentions for the business and its successors.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman provide estate planning and trust administration services for Auburn and surrounding communities in Placer County. We draft and manage a range of estate planning documents, including revocable living trusts, pour-over wills, financial powers of attorney, advance health care directives, certifications of trust, and irrevocable life insurance trusts. Our goal is to deliver practical, clear guidance so clients can make informed decisions about their assets and family arrangements. We also assist with trust modification petitions and Heggstad petitions when trust administration requires court coordination.
Our firm focuses on helping clients in Auburn develop estate plans that reflect personal goals, family needs, and California law. We work with clients to draft clear trust language, coordinate beneficiary designations, and ensure proper funding and administration of ILITs to achieve intended results. We prioritize communication and transparency, so clients understand the practical implications of irrevocable transfers and trustee responsibilities. Our approach aims to avoid surprises during administration by preparing well-drafted documents and providing trustees with the guidance needed to fulfill their duties.
We also assist with the practical tasks that follow initial drafting, such as preparing certifications of trust, coordinating transfers of insurance policies, and advising trustees on premium funding and recordkeeping. When disputes or administrative issues arise, including matters that may require petitions or court filings, we provide experienced representation to protect the trust’s purpose and beneficiaries’ interests. Our firm emphasizes careful planning and ongoing support to help ensure that the ILIT integrates smoothly with the client’s broader estate plan.
Choosing a firm to assist with an ILIT means selecting a provider who communicates clearly about timing, tax considerations, and administrative responsibilities. We guide clients through funding strategies, interactions with insurance carriers, and the coordination of related documents like pour-over wills and retirement plan trusts. Our focus is on practical planning that helps families in Auburn preserve wealth and provide for loved ones in the manner intended. Contact our office to discuss how an ILIT could fit into your overall estate plan and to schedule an initial planning conversation.
Our process begins with a consultation to identify client goals, family dynamics, and the asset picture, including life insurance policies. We then draft an ILIT tailored to your needs, coordinate the transfer or purchase of policies, and prepare related documents such as certifications of trust and pour-over wills. Once the trust is in place, we advise trustees on funding premium payments, recordkeeping, and beneficiary communication. If circumstances require, we also assist with petitions or court filings to resolve title or funding issues and to preserve the trust’s integrity.
The first step is to assess the client’s goals, existing documents, and insurance assets to design an appropriate ILIT structure. This includes determining trustee selection, distribution terms, and premium funding mechanisms. We draft the trust agreement with clear provisions covering trustee powers, successor appointments, and provisions for funding and distributions. Coordination with related estate documents, such as a revocable living trust or pour-over will, ensures the ILIT fits seamlessly into the overall plan and that beneficiary designations reflect the client’s intentions.
We conduct a thorough review of existing estate planning documents, life insurance policies, beneficiary designations, and retirement accounts to identify potential conflicts or gaps. This review helps determine whether to transfer an existing policy to the ILIT or to have the trust purchase a new policy. Attention to detail at this stage prevents unintended probate exposure and ensures that the ILIT is funded correctly. We also evaluate deadlines, tax implications, and the three-year rule that can affect the inclusion of transferred policies in the grantor’s estate.
After reviewing documents and policies, we draft trust provisions that set out trustee duties, funding mechanisms, and distribution standards. Funding instructions outline how premiums will be paid, whether through annual exclusion gifts, trustee accounts, or other mechanisms. The trust document also includes guidance for trustees to maintain records and interact with insurers. Clear drafting of these provisions reduces ambiguity and helps trustees perform their roles effectively while preserving the intended separation between the grantor and the policy ownership.
Step two focuses on transferring ownership of the policy to the trust or purchasing a policy in the trust’s name, coordinating with insurance carriers, and implementing premium funding strategies. We prepare certifications of trust or other documentation required by insurers and financial institutions, and ensure the trust is properly funded to cover ongoing premiums. This step also addresses potential gift tax reporting if annual exclusion gifts are used, and ensures compliance with timing rules to protect the desired estate planning outcomes.
Coordinating the transfer of policy ownership requires working with the insurance company to complete the necessary assignment or change-of-owner forms and to provide any requested trust certifications. Accurate documentation helps avoid administrative delays and secures the trust’s legal ownership of the policy. We guide clients and trustees through these steps, confirm that beneficiary designations align with the trust, and retain records of the transfer to support future trust administration and claims processing.
Establishing reliable funding mechanisms for premium payments helps prevent policy lapse and preserves the trust’s value. Funding options can include annual gifts to the trust, trustee-managed accounts, or structured contributions timed to the premium schedule. Documentation of gifts and trustee deposits is important for tax reporting and trust records. We assist in designing a practical funding plan and instruct trustees on recordkeeping and cash management to ensure that premium obligations are consistently met throughout the policy term.
After the insured’s death, trustees must file claims with insurers, collect proceeds, and distribute funds according to the trust terms. Administration requires accurate recordkeeping, timely claims submissions, and adherence to distribution instructions outlined in the trust. If issues arise regarding funding or title, petitions such as a Heggstad or trust modification petition may be necessary to resolve disputes or reflect changed circumstances. We assist trustees with administrative tasks, beneficiary communications, and any required legal steps to complete the trust’s objectives.
When an insured dies, the trustee files the claim with the insurance carrier, provides required documentation, and ensures the proceeds are paid to the trust. Prompt filing and organized records expedite processing and reduce delays for beneficiaries. The trustee must follow the trust’s distribution directives and maintain transparency with beneficiaries about timelines and procedures. We support trustees throughout the claims process, advise on documentation needs, and help resolve any carrier inquiries that could impede timely receipt of proceeds into the trust.
After proceeds are received, trustees distribute funds in accordance with the trust terms and follow any tax reporting requirements. Trustees should keep beneficiaries informed and retain records of distributions, account activity, and communications. When final distributions are complete, trustees may prepare closing statements and file any necessary tax returns for the trust. Our firm assists with distribution planning, beneficiary communications, and the conclusion of trust administration to help trustees close affairs properly and minimize the administrative burden on family members during a difficult time.
An ILIT is a trust that owns a life insurance policy, with proceeds paid to the trust on the insured’s death and distributed according to the trust terms. It is used to separate policy ownership from the insured’s personal estate, which can simplify administration and help align distributions with the grantor’s objectives. The trust document names a trustee who manages the policy, files claims, and makes distributions to beneficiaries under the directions set by the grantor when the trust was created. Considering an ILIT is sensible when you want structured control over insurance proceeds, potential estate planning benefits, or to provide creditor protections for beneficiaries. Because the trust is irrevocable once funded, careful planning and coordination with other estate documents are essential to achieve the intended outcomes without unintended tax or administrative complications.
An ILIT is funded either by transferring an existing life insurance policy into the trust or by having the trust own a newly purchased policy. Premiums are paid from trust funds, which may come from annual exclusion gifts made to the trust by the grantor, trustee-managed accounts, or other funding strategies set in the trust terms. Documentation of gifts and trustee deposits is important for recordkeeping and tax reporting purposes. Selecting a reliable funding plan avoids missed premiums and policy lapse. Trustees should maintain clear records of premium payments and communications with the insurer. Planning for funding at the outset reduces administrative burdens and helps ensure continuous coverage so that the trust can deliver the intended benefits when claims arise.
When properly structured and funded, an ILIT can keep life insurance proceeds out of the grantor’s probate estate, which may reduce estate tax exposure for larger estates. To achieve this result, the grantor must relinquish incidents of ownership and follow timing rules, such as the three-year lookback that can apply when transferring an existing policy. Proper drafting and administration are essential to preserve the intended estate planning benefits. Estate tax implications depend on the size of the estate and federal and state tax laws. Coordinating an ILIT with a comprehensive plan that includes trusts, wills, and retirement account planning helps align objectives and clarifies how proceeds will be handled to support tax and distribution goals.
Transferring an existing policy into an ILIT is common but requires attention to timing because of the three-year inclusion rule, which can result in the proceeds being included in the transferor’s estate if the insured dies within three years of the transfer. To avoid unintended inclusion, some clients choose to purchase a new policy within the ILIT. Consulting early helps determine the best approach based on the policy’s age, cash value, and the client’s planning timeline. When transferring, insurers typically require assignment forms and certification of trust documentation. Coordinating with carriers and ensuring accurate paperwork reduces administrative delays and helps establish the trust’s ownership cleanly, preserving the intended estate planning outcome.
A trustee’s responsibilities include maintaining records, paying premiums from trust funds, communicating with beneficiaries, filing claims with insurers, and following the trust’s distribution provisions. Trustees must act consistently with the trust document and make prudent decisions that align with the grantor’s intentions. Good recordkeeping and regular communication with beneficiaries help minimize disputes and ensure trust obligations are met. Selecting and documenting successor trustees and providing clear trustee guidance in the trust reduces uncertainty. Trustees may also need assistance with tax reporting and any necessary petitions to resolve funding or title issues, and legal guidance can help trustees fulfill duties while protecting beneficiary interests and complying with California law.
An ILIT should be coordinated with other estate planning documents like revocable living trusts, pour-over wills, financial powers of attorney, and advance health care directives to create a consistent plan. Beneficiary designations for retirement accounts and life insurance should align with trust terms to avoid conflicts or unintended probate exposure. A pour-over will can capture assets not properly titled but does not replace careful beneficiary coordination. Regular reviews of the entire estate plan ensure that changes in family circumstances, assets, or law are reflected across documents. Proper coordination helps reduce the risk of disputes and ensures that the ILIT functions as intended within the broader plan.
If a trustee fails to pay premiums or mismanages the trust, the policy could lapse or beneficiaries may face delays in receiving funds. Trustees are fiduciaries expected to act responsibly, and beneficiaries can seek legal remedies if a trustee breaches duties. Documentation of payments, communications with insurers, and trustee decisions is critical to address concerns and to demonstrate that trustees fulfilled their obligations. When problems arise, options include removing or replacing the trustee, seeking court supervision, or filing petitions to resolve funding or title issues. Timely legal guidance helps beneficiaries and trustees address mismanagement, preserve trust assets, and protect the intended distribution of proceeds under the trust document.
An ILIT can be coordinated with special needs planning to provide supplemental funds for a beneficiary who receives government benefits. Careful drafting ensures that distributions are made in ways that support quality of life and care without disqualifying beneficiaries from public programs. Combining ILIT provisions with a dedicated special needs trust or directing the ILIT to fund such a trust helps maintain benefit eligibility while providing additional resources. It is important to design the arrangement with attention to state benefit rules and trust drafting details. Working with counsel to draft precise language and coordinate funding mechanisms helps ensure that the planning goals for the beneficiary’s long-term care and financial security are achieved while preserving eligibility for essential public benefits.
An ILIT might not be the right choice if policy proceeds are modest relative to overall assets, if the desire for future flexibility outweighs potential benefits, or if the grantor needs to retain control over the policy for personal or business reasons. For individuals who expect to change beneficiaries or coverage frequently, irrevocable structures can be too restrictive. Simpler approaches such as direct beneficiary designations or keeping a policy in a revocable trust may better suit those seeking flexibility. Cost and administrative requirements are also factors; ILITs involve trustee duties and recordkeeping that some families may find burdensome. Reviewing goals and alternatives with counsel helps determine whether an ILIT aligns with your needs or if another strategy would be more appropriate.
To start creating an ILIT in Auburn, schedule a planning conversation to discuss your goals, existing policies, and family circumstances. Provide copies of your current estate planning documents and insurance policies so that the planning can consider how an ILIT will interact with your broader plan. Early discussion helps identify funding options, trustee candidates, and timing considerations such as the transfer lookback rule. From there, the firm drafts the trust, coordinates the policy transfer or purchase, prepares supporting documents like a certification of trust, and advises on funding mechanisms. Ongoing support for trustees and beneficiaries is available to ensure the ILIT functions as intended and integrates with your overall estate plan.
Criminal Defense
Homicide Defense
Manslaughter
Assault and Battery
Assault with a Deadly Weapon
Battery Causing Great Bodily Injury
Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence Protection Orders
Domestic Violence Restraining Order
Arson Defense
Weapons Charges
Illegal Firearm Possessions
Civil Harassment
Civil Harassment Restraining Orders
School Violence Restraining Orders
Violent Crimes Defense
Estate Planning Practice Areas